SPHERE's Guide to Chelsea Flower Show 2025

Chelsea in Bloom: Flowers in Fashion

Yes, inside the gates of the Chelsea Flower Show you’ll find extravagant displays of plants and flowers — we’re talking tens of thousands of plants, hundreds of thousands of stems, and even more petals. That is not to say that the abundance of florals is concentrated solely within the ticketed confines of the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds. In the weeks sandwiching the show, blooming displays and plant-inspired innovations spill into the surrounding streets of the royal borough. Take Chelsea in Bloom, for instance. If you’ve ever stepped out at Sloane Square station and been greeted by a towering T-Rex made entirely of peonies, or spotted Disney characters reimagined in iris and valerian along King’s Road — then you’ve seen it in action. These spectacular installations are completely free to enjoy with a simple stroll along Sloane Street or a wander down The King’s Road.

Each year, Chelsea in Bloom adopts a new theme, ensuring no two visits are ever quite the same. This year’s theme? Flowers in Fashion — a celebration of iconic designers and legendary fashion moments, brought to life through head-turning floral displays.

This year’s Chelsea in Bloom will see over 115 brands—including the likes of Ralph Lauren, RIXO, Brunello Cucinelli, and Temperley London—come together to celebrate both fashion and flowers, with the British Fashion Council Foundation as the charity partner, championing the next generation of designers. Key installations will capture the playful spirit of the event, from giant yellow Wellington boots beneath a canopy of umbrellas on Sloane Square—paying homage to quintessential British weather and the Sloane Ranger look—to a four-meter-high punk’s head on the King’s Road, complete with a floral mohawk, nodding to Chelsea’s punk fashion heritage. Over at Duke of York Square, will be an oversized handbag with a nod to the roaring '20s, while Elton John-inspired sunglasses on Sloane Street will welcome yellow brick road rather than saying goodbye.

Billowing Bows and Ditsy Florals by Sanderson

With fashion and fabric flowing through the surrounding Chelsea streets, we turn our gaze inward — to the art of draping within the show itself. Not made of flowers, but adorned with them, the Highgrove by Sanderson collection blossoms with inspiration drawn from over forty years of devoted cultivation at Highgrove Gardens — the private residence of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

This poetic collection transforms the estate’s natural beauty into an exquisite range of wallpapers and fabrics. Picture painterly meadows of delphinium and lilac, delicate hydrangeas intertwined with climbing roses, and elegant toiles that pay homage to Highgrove’s carved oak beehives and sweeping acer trees.

Every design is a celebration of craftsmanship — hand-drawn, embroidered, and traditionally printed — brought to life in collaboration with The King’s Foundation. You’ll find Highgrove by Sanderson at Stand RHW293 to envelop yourself in the billowing ruffles of timeless floral textiles.

Gourmet Gardenscapes

Spring Garden with Skye Gyngell and José Pizarro

A selection of restaurants both inside and outside of the Chelsea Flower Show grounds are going garden-inspired, both with dishes and exterior décor. We begin inside the grounds of Royal Hospital Chelsea with Spring Garden. The open-air dining experience of the returns to headline the culinary side of RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 20–24 May 2025. With bookings now open, the restaurant fuses together the foodie power of caterer AP&Co and acclaimed chef Skye Gyngell—now joined by celebrated Spanish restaurateur José Pizarro. Known for its refined ‘straight from the earth’ philosophy, Spring Garden has earned a loyal following for dishes that celebrate simplicity, seasonality, and sustainability.

This year, the menu will spotlight peak spring ingredients—think lovage and heritage citrus—balancing Skye’s elegant, farm-to-fork style with José’s signature Spanish depth and boldness. Guests can choose between daytime (Meridian, 9am–5pm) and evening (Nocturne, 3:30pm–10pm) sittings, both set against a serene perennial backdrop. Beyond the food, the experience includes live music, curated wine pairings, nature walks, and more.

Private chalets and group bookings are available for both corporate and personal occasions. Prices range from £475 to £995. Tickets are limited—book now via this link.

Ganymede

Down King’s Road and onto Ebury Street, the charming modern British pub Ganymede is dressing its Belgravia exterior in a striking, sustainable floral installation by Pamela Ladaf of Songbird Florals. Inspired by the British farms that supply the kitchen, the display features herbs, grapevines, olive branches and artichokes—all materials drawn from the pub’s menu and chosen for their ability to be reused post-show.

Inside, Executive Chef David Halewood is serving The Garden menu from 19–24 May: a seasonal offering that includes colcannon scotch egg, stuffed saddle of lamb, and crisp panisse with white asparagus. Paired with a selection of fresh and floral cocktails or a sparkling non-alcoholic rosé, straight from the nearby insta-famous Amie Wine Studio in Eccleston Yards.

Find out more and book a table at Ganymede via ganymedelondon.co.uk

Sprigs and Sips

Ixchel x Maestro Dobel

To toast Chelsea in Bloom 2025, Maestro Dobel Tequila has teamed up with modern Mexican hotspot Ixchel for a limited-time celebration that’s as elegant as it is spirited. From 19 May to 26 June, guests can enjoy the ‘Flower Moon’ cocktail — a refreshing mix of Maestro Dobel Silver, rosé wine, lime, Peychaud’s bitters, and rose syrup — inspired by May’s full moon and garnished with delicate rose petals.

Crafted to complement Chelsea’s annual floral takeover, the cocktail is paired with a dish by head chef Ximena Gayosso Gonzalez that reimagines mole through an earthy, seasonal lens — think celeriac, artichokes, and sweet potato, with the mole as the star.

For connoisseurs, Ixchel is also offering pours of Maestro Dobel’s rarest expressions: the crystal-clear, ultra-smooth 50 Cristalino and the opulent ‘1973’ Extra-Añejo, aged over seven years and finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

Outside, the collaboration continues with a floral installation by award-winning florist Alice Strange, echoing the 2025 theme ‘Flowers in Fashion.’ A hand-carved wardrobe façade transforms Ixchel into the dressing room of a modern Mayan moon goddess — complete with blooms, vanity, and Maestro Dobel bottles tucked like treasured perfumes.

Find out more and book a table at Ixchel via ixchellondon.com

The Cadogan Arms

This 19–25 May, The Cadogan Arms steps into the spotlight for Chelsea in Bloom’s 20th anniversary, paying tribute to one of Chelsea’s most iconic fashion landmarks: Granny Takes a Trip. With this year’s theme ‘Flowers in Fashion’, the pub will transform its façade into a flamboyant floral homage to the legendary 60s boutique, complete with a 3D flower-stuffed Beetle car bursting from the wall.

Inside, the celebration continues with a limited-edition cocktail menu created in partnership with Casamigos, featuring fresh, vibrant serves like the Elderflower Margarita and Oopsie Daisy (strawberry, mint, lime, and tequila). Guests can also indulge in a seasonal Lemon Trifle topped with edible flowers — a sweet finish to the floral festivities.

The tribute isn’t just blossoming cocktails and aesthetic. On Wednesday 21st May, head downstairs to The Rose Room for a live music night with Hard Candy, a four-piece band channeling the sounds of the 60s and 70s — a nod to the rock legends like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles who once frequented Granny’s. Tickets to this performance are free and can be booked via this link.

Petals and Poise

In the spirit of Chelsea in Bloom 2025, award-winning British beauty brand Cosmetics à la Carte invites you to step into your own fairytale transformation. Inspired by this year’s theme ‘Flowers in Fashion’, the boutique at 192 Pavilion Road has had a floral makeover fit for a modern-day style muse.

Outside, full-length mirrors framed with blooms set the scene for a dreamy pre-show prep moment. Inside, guests are treated to take a seat and have a complimentary Summer Glow-Up, complete with swatching and sampling the brand’s newly launched Sheer Brilliance Lip Glosses in the shades King’s Road (a sheer watermelon pink) and Sloane Square (a soft nude pink).

For those wanting the full Chelsea pout, there’s the SW3 Trio: including both new glosses and the best-selling Chelsea (a milky pink classic) for £68 — with a retail value of £102. Even better? One lucky visitor will win the set each day in a daily prize draw.

It’s the ultimate beauty pit stop before stepping forth into the floral frenzy of Chelsea Flower Show. Find out more via cosmeticsalacarte.com

How to Visit Chelsea Flower Show 2025

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 takes place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3 4SR, from Tuesday, 20 May to Saturday, 24 May. Opening hours are:

Tuesday–Thursday: 8am–8pm

Friday: 8am–10pm (including RHS Chelsea Late)

Saturday: 8am–5:30pm (with the stand display sale beginning at 4pm)

The nearest Tube station is Sloane Square (District and Circle lines), approximately a 10-minute walk from the venue. Bus routes 11, 137, 211, 360, and 452 also serve nearby stops. For those driving, parking at Battersea Park (SW11 4BY) is available with pre-booked tickets.

Both half and full-day tickets are available for purchase via rhs.org.uk